Taylor Duck track and field athlete Jarvis Anderson continues to leave his imprint on the sport.
This past March, Anderson broke the school track and field record in the 300-meter hurdles at the Texas Relays with a time of 37.27, a record that stood for nearly 40 years.
This weekend Anderson is headed south of the equator to participate in the 24th Summer Deaflympics in Caxias do Sul, Brazil, May 1-15.
“I am excited to be on the USA deaf team and compete in Brazil,” said Anderson.
Anderson’s father, Tommie Garner, spoke on his son competing in Brazil.
“Jarvis has been preparing since the summer for the games with Coach Flowers, who has done a phenomenal job of training him,” said Garner. “Jarvis has been eating and sleeping this dream. He has had the desire for this ever since his brother made the 2017 Olympic team and suited up in his USA uniform and went to Turkey, Jarvis has wanted to compete internationally. He’s really hyped and he’s ready.”
With the Deaflympics taking place in May this year, Anderson will not be competing in the University Interscholastic League (UIL) state meet should he advance from regionals.
“Unfortunately, this prospect would not afford Jarvis the opportunity to compete in the state meet, so we had to make a decision that we put in Jarvis’s hands to make,” said Garner.
Anderson ultimately chose to participate in the Deaflympics.
“Quite naturally, he wanted to compete with the U.S Deaf team because this a chance in a lifetime,” said Garner.
Anderson still has next year to compete in state, saying, “I will be back”.
“I’m excited that were going to see some of Jarvis’s best times and jumps at the Deaflympics. He seems to perform at higher level when the competition is greater,” said Garner.
“It is a unique situation. It is rare that a Junior in high school gets a chance to represent his country and the city of Taylor in an Olympic situation,” said Earven Flowers, Taylor boys track coach. “We are very proud that Jarvis will be able to compete at a high level. I know Jarvis is excited to represent the deaf community on its biggest stage as well. It is unfortunate that he is going to miss the UIL State Meet but he will have another shot at it next year.”
As one of the youngest competitors headed to the games, Anderson will be competing in the hurdles, long and triple jump and relay events.
“I expect to do my best and bring a medal home. I want to win,” said Anderson. “I want to have fun and let the world know my name. I want to be like Fred Kerley and make my parents proud.”
Garner also expressed his gratitude for the school and the community for their support.
“The high school has been phenomenal in their support of Jarvis, supplying him academically with the help that he needs as far as tutoring and counselors,” said Garner. “They’ve all collaborated together so he has completed his schoolwork before heading to Brazil and while he is there. I would just like to thank all of our family and friends and the city of Taylor for all of their support.”
The International Committee of Sports for the Deaf (ICSD) is the main governing body responsible for the organization of Deaflympics and other World Deaf Championships.
Founded in 1924 and known as the CISS (Comité International des Sports des Sourds), the ICSD is now approaching the century mark of being the organization behind the building, evolving and fortifying the tradition of inviting deaf/hard of hearing elite athletes from all of the world to come together not only to compete in their respective sports, but to also develop comradeships between their countries.
